One of every five fatal crashes occurs at an intersection, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, which has issued guidelines for driver and pedestrian safety at intersections.
The Chicago car accident attorneys and the pedestrian accident lawyers at Abels & Annes remind motorists that intersections remain one of the most dangerous places for serious or fatal Illinois traffic accidents.
The government reports that 7,772 of 37,261 traffic fatalities nationwide — or 20.8 percent — occurred at intersections in 2008. In Illinois, that percentage is even higher, with 25.2 percent of fatal Illinois traffic accidents reported at intersections, according to the Illinois Department of Transportation.
Each year, about 250 fatal crashes occurred at intersections in Illinois.
It is easy to forget during our daily commute that an intersection s a “planned point of conflict in the roadway system,” according to the NHTSA.
In addition to Chicago car accidents, statistics show that pedestrian accidents and bicycle accidents frequently occur at intersections.
Government reports found 20 percent of accidents at signalized intersections involve a turning vehicle striking a pedestrian; and trucks are at greater risk of being involved in a bicycle accident, in part because of blind spots. In 2007, 1,152 people died nationwide as a result of a pedestrian accident at an intersection.
Motorists who run red lights are a primary danger at intersections. Over 90 percent of Americans believe running a red light is “very” or “extremely” dangerous, yet two-thirds of motorists report seeing someone run a red light almost every day. More than 800 a year are killed by a crash involving someone who ran a red light.
Basic motorist tips for safe driving at intersections can be found at www.safemotorist.com, and include:
-Look both ways before proceeding into an intersection -Don’t depend on traffic signals
-Ensure the intersection is clear: Don’t presume other drivers will comply with signals -Obtain a good view before proceeding: Large trucks or people driving smaller cars and motorcycles and bicycles may have a hard time getting an unobstructed view.
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